Hot!
Be proud of yourselves, celebrate achievements of ancestors…Bagbin tells chiefs, people of Bono Region
Mr Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has asked the chiefs and people of Techiman in the Bono East Region to be proud of themselves and celebrate the achievements of their ancestors.
According to him, one of their illustrious sons the region must celebrate was Nii Kwabena Bonny, aka ‘Boycotthene,’ a chief from Osu who he said was very instrumental in Ghana’s struggle to attain independence in 1957.
Nii Kwabena Bonny, a royal from Techiman, he said engineered the boycott of European goods in the Gold Coast, culminating in the 1948 riots and subsequently paved the way for the country’s independence.
“This instrumental role Nii Kwabena Bonny played by rallying the support of other chiefs in the Gold Coast to boycott European goods compelled the British colonial administrators to speed up the process in granting the country independence; that feat is worth celebrating.”
Mr Bagbin was speaking at a public forum as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Fourth Republican Parliamentary Democracy in Ghana at Techiman in the Bono East Region.
The forum, organised by the Parliamentary Service Board was attended by traditional rulers, clergy, security agencies, students from the Senior High Schools, Members of Parliament among others.
The Speaker of Parliament urged the youth especially the students to show keen interest in learning the history and cultural heritage of their respective localities to enable them gain knowledge and better appreciate who they are.
Parliamentary democracy, he noted has ensured a stable governance and an uninterrupted democracy, bringing about enormous benefits to the country.
The Vice President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Owusu Sekyi, appealed to parliament to ensure absolute peace during and after the December poll.
According to him, the death of eight citizens during the 2020 general elections in the Techiman area was a dent on Ghana’s fledgling democracy and such a thing should not occur anywhere in the country come December.
The chief who is also the President of the Baasa Traditional Council noted that nobody should be attacked or intimidated during the electioneering campaigns and elections day.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Techiman
Hot!
ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
